“The King” or “Royal blood is in my veins”

I love it when God has some personal message for me–something he especially wants me to understand. In midst of a conversation at small group or with a random friend or during personal devo time, something will strike me and I will know that it isn’t something that is striking everyone else; it’s just for me.

So tonight at small group, a realization came ‘round that had be brewing for a while. A combination of books I’m reading and conversations I’ve had and prayers I’ve prayed kinda led me here–but I don’t say this with any expectations that it will be a big revelation to you. I know it’s for me at this particular point in my walk and is especially meaningful because of the particular mix of things I’ve experienced and am working through right now.

Without further ado: We were created with an original glory that can’t be built upon through any good works. When God created us, he created us perfectly, without flaw, uniquely designed to precisely execute his plan for our lives. All his promises, all his kingdom’s riches, all his blessings, all his glory, all his life abundantly, were ours as part of him creating us in his image.

Now the problem we run into is the enemy. The thief that he is, Satan’s stolen some of that from us. But it’s still rightfully ours. Life is all about getting back to that original state of glory in which we were created. Sanctification? Salvation? Redemption? It’s all about getting us back where we belong.

The reason this is big for me goes back to my opening “without further ado” statement. I don’t have to “earn” his riches. I don’t have to do anything extraordinary to tap into the riches of his kingdom. I don’t have to be a “good Christian” to be a blessed person. I just have to take back what’s rightfully mine as a child of God.

It’s much like Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings. He was the far-removed heir of the throne of Gondor. The kingdom and kingship was rightfully his; he just needed to take it back. Was it easy? Heck no. Was their resistance? Certainly. There’s almost always resistance to moving forward.

But claiming the throne didn’t require Aragorn to become anyone other than who he was born as. He was born a king, just as we have been. And there was nothing Aragorn could do to build upon his kingship. He already had the top spot: all the authority, all the power, all the riches.

It wasn’t just handed to him, though. First of all, he had to realize who he was–that he was of royal blood. And second, he had to take action to reclaim the throne. For much of the trilogy (which, from what I understand, differs from the book in this regard), Aragorn was reluctant to flaunt himself as heir of the throne of Gondor; he wasn’t proactive in claiming what was his.

But others believed in him and his potential. Gandalf, Legolas and Elrond all played key roles in the establishment of his kingship. And gradually, Aragorn began to take hold of his identity and thrive in his calling. Once he did, there was no stopping him.

And that, my friends, is where I’m at: on the cusp of greatness. It’s not because of anything I’ve done or any neat tricks I’ve learned or any strings I’ve pulled. It’s because greatness is mine to be had. It’s in my blood (and yours too). It’s rightfully mine. It’s been taken from me and I want it back.

I can’t get there on my own, though. I need help. And that’s where the body of Christ and Father, Son and Holy Spirit come into play. A lot of grunt work has been done putting the right pieces in place to make a run at the throne. God’s been speaking through a lot of people; prayers have been offered; a fellowship has been established.

It’s time for the return of the king.